Editions

Wanderers on brink of elimination, Roar stay alive

The defence of the AFC Champions League title looks set to be short-lived for Western Sydney Wanderers, who are on the verge of elimination.

Share

Written BySportal

height="148">

Holders Western Sydney Wanderers are on the brink of elimination
from the AFC Champions League following Tuesday's 2-1 home loss to
Kashima Antlers.

The A-League side took the lead in the 24th minute through
Nikita Rukavytsya, but Shoma Doi levelled on the hour mark for
Kashima before Mu Kanazaki's 92nd-minute winner settled the
game.

That defeat, coupled with Seoul's draw with Guangzhou
Evergrande, leaves Western Sydney bottom of Group H with five
points, one adrift of Seoul and Kashima, who meet in the final
matchday next month.

Western Sydney will need a draw in that game and a victory over
group winners Guangzhou in order to progress.

Al Hilal, last year's runners-up, are through from Group C
following a 2-1 win over Lokomotiv Tashkent, with Al Sadd also
qualifying for the last 16 alongside them courtesy of a 1-0 win
against Foolad.

Nasaf remain very much in contention for a place in the knockout
stages thanks to Artur Geworkyan's brace that gave them a 2-1
victory at Group D rivals Tractor Sazi.

Late goals from Ko Cha-won and Kaio gave Suwon Bluewings a 2-1
success away from home against Urawa Reds that sends them top of
Group G courtesy of Beijing Guoan's 1-0 defeat to Brisbane
Roar.

Suwon and Beijing are level on 10 points - three points ahead of
Brisbane - and will qualify with a draw in their final group
encounter in South Korea.

In Tuesday's final game, Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia fought back
from a goal down against their namesakes from United Arab Emirates
to win 2-1 courtesy of Bruno Cesar's stoppage-time strike.